Prospective study on the knowledge and practice of foot care among diabetic patients

Abstract

Background: The magnitude of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) and the amputation rates due to DFUs are high in India. Proper diabetic foot care can minimize these rates. Although numerous such studies have been done, reinforcement of awareness to practice diabetic foot care is necessary to reduce the incidents of DFUs.Methods: 134 voluntary participants from SSMC, Tumkur and Karnataka Institute of Endocrinology and Research, Bangalore were included following ethical clearance. The patients were requested to fill the validated knowledge and practice questionnaire which were presented to them in their own language. Demographic details of the participants were also collected. The responses were recorded and statistically analyzed. A score of >70% was gauged as good, 50 to 70% as satisfactory and <50% as poor.Results: Of the 134 participants, 73.13% had good knowledge on foot care, 22.8% had good foot care practice and 73.13% had a satisfactory practice score. Patients with history of foot ulcer had a mean score (±SD) of 12.75 (±1.91) knowledge score and 47.75 (±6.05) practice score which is lower compared to those without history of ulcers, 13.86 (±2.37) and 55.40 (±6.88) respectively. Patients from urban and rural areas had about the same mean scores, 13.51 (±2.50), 54.98 (±6.83) and 13.30 (±2.60), 54.73 (±7.49) (knowledge, practice score) respectively.Conclusions: Foot care among diabetics is only satisfactory and has to be improved. Knowledge is the key to better practice so early diagnosis, repeated counselling, regular follow ups and good sugar control is necessary to reduce incidents of DFUs.

Extent of awareness of diabetic foot care in diabetic patients and their families at AL Baha city, Saudi Arabia

“…On the contrary, the present study differs from studies done in India by (Manjunath et al, 2020) which showed only 23% had a good knowledge. In addition, the current study is in contrary with the study done in Iran by Pourkazemi et al, (2020) which showed, majority of participants had a poor knowledge (84.8%).…”

Foot Care Behaviour among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study

“…In this study, more than half of the respondents had a low level of foot care behaviour. This result was consistent with studies conducted in North Iran, and Bangalore with majority of their subjects had a low level of foot care behaviour (Pourkazemi et al, 2020, Manjunath & Nandini, 2020. Another study by Sen et al (2019) also showed half of the participants had low footcare behaviour.…”

Awareness and Behaviour on Foot Care among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Endocrine Clinic, HTAR, Selangor

“…In this study, more than half of the respondents had a low level of foot care behavior. This result was consistent with studies conducted in North Iran, and Bangalore with majority of their subjects had a low level of foot care behavior (Pourkazemi et al, 2020, Manjunath & Nandini, 2020. Another study by Sen et al (2019) also showed half of the participants had low footcare behavior.…”